Sir Alf's memorabilia to go on sale

THE POSSESSIONS of Ipswich's and England's most successful football manager are set to go under the hammer at a London auction house next month.

Sir Alf Ramsey is forever linked with the national team's one moment of supreme glory, the World Cup win of 1966, but in Ipswich he will always be remembered as the man who bought home the Championship to Suffolk in 1962.

THE POSSESSIONS of Ipswich's and England's most successful football manager are set to go under the hammer at a London auction house next month.

Sir Alf Ramsey is forever linked with the national team's one moment of supreme glory, the World Cup win of 1966, but in Ipswich he will always be remembered as the man who bought home the Championship to Suffolk in 1962.

Now his collection of football memorabilia has been consigned for auction by his family.

His widow, Lady Ramsey, said: "It was Sir Alf's wish that his collection be made available to his many supporters during his 50 year footballing career. The collection, amassed during his many successful years involved in the English game, is now to be offered for sale for all to share and enjoy."

The 61-lot collection, which is expected to fetch well over £50,000, will be sold at Christie's in London.

It includes 20 of Sir Alf's 31 international caps, five domestic championship medals and various pieces of World Cup memorabilia.

The medal Sir Alf won for as manager of Ipswich Town when they were the unlikely winners of the First Division championship in 1962 should fetch up to £1,500.

Twenty of Sir Alf's 31 England caps, with estimated ranging from £800 to £1500, are also being put up for sale by Lady Ramsey and other members of his family. Highlights include the cap from his last international appearance, against Hungary, which the Magical Magyars won 6-3 to become the first national team to win on English soil. The Hungary match also saw Sir Alf score his third and final goal for England.

Twenty-four Football league medals spanning his playing and managerial career for England from 1948 to 1974 are also on offer, with estimates ranging from £250 to £700.

The auction announcement comes the day after West Ham United purchased Geoff Hurst's World Cup Winners medal for a figure believed to be around £200,000. Ipswich Town were today unable to comment if it would be bidding for Sir Alf's items.

John Elsworthy, who played as left wing half under Sir Alf said; "I respect Lady Ramsey's wish and let's hope the club and bid for some of the items. He was a marvellous man – the type you meet once in a lifetime."

Sir Alf turned to management with Ipswich Town in 1956, and won the Third Division South title a year later. He won the Second Division in 1961 and the championship a year later.

Three years later came the pinnacle of his career – the World Cup triumph – and he was knighted in 1967.